Reader Panel: Keystone XL Pipeline

November 14, 2011|Aberdeen American News

Today's question: The U.S. State Department is delaying its decision on whether to build the Keystone XL pipeline until after the 2012 elections, pending an environmental impact statement. What is your opinion of the delay, and the pipeline route?

The longer we delay projects like this the longer we will continue to be forced to get oil from Middle Eastern countries. This project could allow connecting to the Bakken Reserve in North Dakota, encouraging additional drilling in our region.Duane SuttonAberdeen

By delaying the Keystone XL Pipeline we are loosing 20,000 immediate jobs and 50,000 future jobs. This type of pipeline crosses all over in Canada and Europe. There is also a pipeline underground crossing New York City. We should be purchasing fuel from Canada instead of the Middle East.Janice MohrMina

Didn’t the current planned route go through an environmental impact process? Why all of the sudden now and why wait until after the elections? It seems like some of the current legislative offices don’t want to take responsibility for the error of where the pipeline was going to go!Kim WeaverAberdeen

The delay appears to be clearly political, sadly. President Obama is supported by the same political forces that have the EPA, Department of Energy and other federal agencies loading up for more rules, regulations and paperwork, making it harder for employers to hire and make a profit.Bernie WebbGettysburg

Transporting oil that far above or below ground is extremely dangerous. The idea that it lies on a major aquifer, travels through states that produce most of our food, is alarming. The company can't guarantee safety; no one can. Delays can mean they are looking for a better answer.Cathy JacobsonAberdeen

It's judicious at this point to consider very carefully the potential impact of this plan. We cannot continue to plunder the earth for extraction and delivery of oil without consideration to the larger environment in general, and the Ogallala Aquifer in particular, and without consideration to viable alternatives.Roylene SchwabAberdeen

I think that it is political and will cost more after the elections.Dorothy GravesAberdeen

What is wrong with taking some common-sense precautions? Those of us in production agriculture seem to be giving in to the economic development of corporate profits and are forgetting about safe future food production.Robert ThullnerHerreid

Something wrong here. We can't have shovel-ready jobs, real energy, private capital investment. What do we get? Electric cars that burn fossil fuel and we can't afford, one-half billion (and maybe more) wasted on sunlight and no jobs. Pure politics is what this decision is.Norbe BarrieTurton

The delay is purely political. Obama wants the oil issue off the table during the election cycle and this will help him do that!Robert M. SullivanMiramar Beach, Fla.

To join the American News reader panel, email jperry@aberdeennews.com with “AAN reader panel” in the subject line.